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Prevent Damp and Mould in Your Property

The three most common types of damp that are found in buildings are rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation – these can cause significant problems in your property and if left untreated can lead to additional problems such as mould.

Rising damp occurs when ground water comes up through a wall, it can be prevented by damp coursing although if this is damaged then moisture will enter your property and cause wet patches on interior walls. Penetrative damp is usually caused by structural damage within a building and allows water to leak through walls. Condensation occurs when warm moist arm comes into contact with cooler dry air – it is usually noticed first on surfaces that have lower temperatures such as glass.

Damp can be caused by a variety of reasons in your property including:

If you treat the signs of damp at the early stages you can prevent larger scale problems, such as mould, from building up. If you see mould growing around your property there are a number of things that you can do to treat it.

Wipe down walls using a fungicidal wash

Redecorate affected areas using fungicidal based paint

Use a dehumidifier to help dry your house out

Fungicidal wash and paint are specially formulated to prevent and kill mould, algae and lichen from a variety of surfaces including interior walls. For the best results apply a couple of coats to the affected area. It is worth noting that fungicidal based paints lose their effectiveness if covered over the top with regular paint. A dehumidifier should only be used as a temporary solution – make sure you find the source of the damp and treat that first.

1. Produce less moisture

Moisture often builds in areas such as the kitchen when you are cooking – make sure you do not leave kettles and pans boiling for too long and try to air clothes outdoors rather than in a tumble dryer.

2. Ventilate to remove moisture

Keep rooms that are subject to produce more moisture well ventilated – where possible leave the kitchen and bathroom window slightly ajar to allow air in and get rid of the excess moisture.

Note: When curtains and blinds are drawn the surface temperature of the window decreases further which can lead to an increased build up of condensation. Try using a trickle ventilator to help solve the problem.

3. Insulate your home

Proper insulation in your home will help keep the whole house warmer which in turn means that condensation is less likely to occur. Cavity walls and loft insulation are a must, and if you haven’t already, then consider investing in double glazing to help keep the temperature in your property much higher.

4. Heat your home more

To avoid condensation in the winter keep your heating on low at all times even if no one is home. Flats and bungalows will particularly benefit from this as there is often not a warm living room situated underneath.